Poison Control Center faces uncertain future with budget cuts

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A spokesperson with the West Virginia Poison Control Center said Monday it is in danger of closing with additional state budget cuts that would impact the federal money it receives.

Community Outreach Coordinator Carissa McBurney said the center could lose as much as $114,000 from a 7.5 percent state budget cut and matching federal cut.

The center currently has eight full-time nurses, a director and two part-time employees. It answers calls 24/7 365 days a year.

The Poison Center was very busy in the days after the Jan. 9 Elk River chemical spill that impacted parts of nine West Virginia counties. McBurney said the center was answering a call a minute for several days.